Corn-popping machine



July 7, 1925.

H. W. SCHWIMMER CORN POPPING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR:

Filed Sept. 29, 1923 A TTORNEY.

July 7, 1925.

H. W. SCHWIMMER CORN POPPING MACHINE Filed Sept. 29 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 )1 TTORNEY.

July 7, 1925.

I H. W. SCHWIMMER CORN POPPING MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR:

V rlillllllll A TTORNE Y.

' 'pingmachine of such construction as to per-- Patented July 7, 1925..

UNITED STATES PATENT foFFlca: j

HENRY w. scnwmnnn, or mmnaronrs; INDIAN assrenoa 'ro LOUIS MAR- nonnx AND nanny x0111.

CORN-POPPING MACHINE.

Application filed. September 29, 1928. Serial No. 665,629,

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that I, HENRY W. SGHWIM- MER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, haveinvented a new and useful Corn-Popping Machine, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

v This invention relates to a machine of the type that, is designed to operate continuously and in an interesting and entertaining manner, so that the operations may be attractive to observers who may purchase freshly popped com, the invention having reference more particularly to a machine whereby corn may be automatically poppfd and buttered and also kept warm' w 'le being sold.

An object of the invention is to provide a corn-popping machine of the above-mentioned character which may be built compactly-and at. small cost, so as to be available to those who retail in small quantities, but which may be built also in larger sizes when desired.

Another object is to provide a corn-popmit of the maximum space for popped corn "in a small show-case, in order to sup ly the, needs of merchants who may have imited space in a'store for a corn-popping machine.

A further object is to provide an automatic corn-popping machine which shall be 7 of such" construction as to operate and perform its functions in a cleanly and sanitary manner. g j

A. still further object is to: provide an improved corn-popping machine of such construction as to convert all the corn into palatable and wholesome food, particularly to roast or parch unpopped corn usually present when carrying out popping operations, such unpopped or shot corn when properly parched being deslred by many in preference to popped corn.

With the hove-mentioned and other objects inview, the invention consists in an improved electrically heated and driven and popping apparatus; Fi sectional detail more 0 early showing parts tion herein referred to in detail.

automatically fed 7 machine, .soconstructed 1 as to be well adapted not only for popping corn but for arching such corn as is usually found to be incapable of bein popped, the

machine including automatic uttering'apparatus; and the invention consists also further in the novel parts and in the combinations and arrangements of parts in a cornpopping machine as hereinafter particularly described and further defined in the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings,' Figure"1 is a perspective view of a corn-popping ma chine constructed substantially in accordance with the invention, in connection with a glass show case for the product of the machine; Fig. 2 is a' fragmentary top plan 1.

showing portions of the machine on an enlarged scale; Fig. 3 r is a vertical central section of the machine proper, portions of the case being broken away; Fig. 4: is a fragmentary sectional elevation similar to the receding figure but-with parts of the mac ine in relatively different positions; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse section of an improved feeder illustrating the manner of feeding corn to the popping appa-. ratus; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse section of the feeder illustrating that part thereof whereby butter may be fed to the 7 is a fragmentary .of the structure on an enlarged scale; and,"

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional detail clearly showin parts of the controlling mechanism of t e machine on an enlarged scale,

Similar reference characters inthe various figures of the drawings indicate corre-, sponding elements or features of construc- In practically carrying out the the invention a suitable machinery frame is provided which preferably comprises a showcase having transparent sides su portedin a suitable frame 1 which has a oor 2 and a roof ortop' 3. The'apparatus comprisesa slender hollow metalllc post 4 which is firmly secured to the middle portionof the floor 2 and extends upward a suitable disobjects of tance to permit the accumulation of popped corn on the floor, and a metallic bowl 5 is fixed at the center of its bottom to the upper portion of the post and has an internal an nular ledge 6 below the top of the bowl, the ledge supporting an electric heater unit 7 Which is of proper height to permit a wall portion 8 of thebowl to extend higher than the unit. An electric circuit wire cable 9 is extended into the lower portion of the frame and up through the post to the heater unit. An improved shallow pan 10 on which to pop the corn is provided and preferably is composed of sheet metal and dished so that the top surface is concave, the middle portion of the pan being pressed up or molded to form a central hollow boss 11. The pan preferably has a marginal portion pressed up, spun or molded to constitute an annular rib 12 designed to nest into the upper wall portion 8, the metal forming the rib extending over to constitute an annular seat member 13 that rests upon thetop of the wall portion 8 and has a rim portion 14 extending therefrom downwardly a sufficient distance to cover the groove formed by striking up the ledge 6, the lower edge of the rim having a bead 15 thereon. The

dimensions are-such that the lower portion of the pan is slightly'above the heater unit to permit free butslight downward move ment resulting from expansion of the pan when heated, and permitting heat to be distributed under the pan so that the outer portions shall become heated to approximately the same degree as the middle portion of the pan.

A novel cover for the popper pan is provided which comprises a top portion 16 and a circular side portion 17, the latter being of proper diameter to slip freely over the rim portion 14 of the pan to constitute a pan side wall, and having a bead 18 on its lower edge to rest upon the bead 15. The top portion 16 has a central annular head 19 providedwith internal screw threads 20, the head having. a cross-bar or crosshead member 21 fixed thereon that has an opening therein corresponding to the opening in the head. The boss 11 hasaswivel device preferably composed vof two parts 22 and 23 secured together by a screw 24 and rotatably arranged centrally in the boss. An agitator is provided whlch: comprises a hub 25 and a clutch member 26 secured together and rotatable on the swiveldevice, and fingers 27 radially arranged on the hub and adapted to slide on the -topof the pan, each finger extending from .the 'hub upwardly across the inclined portion of the pan approximately to the nb 12.- A driving shaft 28 is vertically arranged and extends loosely through the head 19' and has a clutch member 29 secured to its .lower portion, the end of the shaft being centered in the top'of the swivel device, the clutch member 29 having lugs 30 entering suitable sockets in the member 26 whereby to rotate the agitator. The upper portion of the shaft 28, the shaft extending through the roof 3, is suitably supported rotatably, as by means of a stand 31 in which the shaft is journaled, and the shaft is driven by suitable means, preferably a bevel gear wheel 32 secured to the shaft above the stand. The shaft is provided with screw threads to operate in connection with the threads 20, and preferably a sleeve 33 is adjustably arranged on the shaft and is provided with external screw threads 34, the sleeve being secured to the shaft by means of a set screw 35, to permit the cover to be moved u ward a short distance before the screw treads 20 are carried into engagement with the threads 34, the adjustability of the sleev 33 being provided for variation of the free travel of the erably being apair of standards 38 and 39 secured upon the top of the roof 3, a shaft 40 rotatably supported by the standards and having a large pulley 41 secured thereto, an electric motor 42 secured upon the roof and provided with a small driving pulley 43, a belt 44 connected with the pulleys, a sleeve 45 arranged to slide on the shaft 40 and suitably rotated by the shaft, as by. means of a pin or spline46 secured to the shaft and extending into a lon itudinal slot 47 in the sleeve, and two bevel pinions 48 and 49 revers'ely fixed on the sleeve to be alternately carried into contact with the gear wheel 32. The sleeve 47 is moved and controlled preferably by .means of a collar 50 arranged thereon to permit rotation of the sleeve and having a jaw 51 thereon.

pivot stand 52 is secured on. the top of the roof'3 and has a pivot 53 thereon which supports a shifter lever 54 that has a short arm 55 properly connected with the "jaw 51 whereby to slidethe sleeve 45. A control- "ling rod 56 is vertically arranged so as to I ments, the shifter is provided with a kicker comprising a hollow cylinder 59 fixed on the stand '52 and having a plunger 60 vertically guided therein and forcibly projected upward by means of a coil spring 61 unarranged in the cylinder beneath the p ger, the plunger havinga pointed or wed elike upper portion 62 that engages a simi ar projection 63 reversely arranged and fixed on the shifterarmbelow itspivot 53, the plumger acting wedge-like to quickly movethe shifter after having been slowly moved by the cover, for completing the shifting of gears in a. well known manner. Briefly, the

, popper pan cover moves slowly and moves.

the shifter until one pinion on the sleeve 45 is nearly disconnected from the gear wheel 32, the finger 63 having forced down the plunger 60 and passed over the top of the plunger, the plunger being immediately forced up against the opposite side of the feed-pipe 77 is'connected with the port 75' finger and causing further movement of the shifter, so as toquickly disengag the pinion and cause the. opposite pinion to move into contact with the gearwheel 32 and reversely rotate the shaft 28.

A novel feeder is provided which. comprises a cylindrical casing 64 having suitable end'members 65 and 66 fixed thereto that are provided with journal bearings 67 and 68 respectively, the casing being secured horizontally on the top of the roof 3, and the upper and lower portions of the casing are-adapted to constitute valve seats, the upper portion having a valve port 69 therein; A reservoir 70 having a hopper bottom is supported upon the feeder casing and has a discharge aperture 71 in its bottom to direct corn into the port 69. The reservoir preferably has an internal ledge 72 on which a suitable cover 73 is removably supported. The lower portion of the casing hasfa' valve port 74 therein adjacent to one end of the casing and also a smaller port 73 adjacent to the opposite end of the casing. A feed-pipe 76 is connected with the port 74 andextends down through the roof 3 and through a suitable opening in the top portion 16 of the cover, the crossbar 21 preferably having a suitable opening through which the feed-pipe extends, to prevent rotation of the cover. Another and extends also through the top bf the cover to feed butterto the popper pan. A hollow cylinder 7 8 adapted to constitute a valve is rotatively arranged in the valve casing-and has ends 79 and 80 provided with journals 81 and 82 rotatively supported in the bearings 67 and 68 respectively. One portion of the cylinder 78- has a discharge port 83 through which to discharge corn into the port 74, and anotherportion has a discharge port 84 to discharge melted but- ,tervor grease into the port 75. Another porthe heater.

tion of the cylinder 78 has a port 85 therein to receive corn from the port 69. The valve cylinder has a partition 86 therein in proximity' to the end 80 to form a reservoir for the butter separate from the compartment for corn in the feeder valve; the compartment for corn has an inclined plate 87 therein extending from the partitiondownwardly at an inclination to the lower portion of the cylinder 78 adjacent to Preferably of'to engage the pin, and pull downward thereon to rotate the feeder valve in one direction, and the rod has also a shorter finger 92 below the other finger'to engage and push upward on the pin to rotate the feeder valve in the opposite direction a suitable distance and then pass onward to permit the cover to move upward indefinitely without moving the valve, which may be occasioned by tardy reversing of the driving shaft 28.

In practical use, acharge of corn is I placed upon the popper pan, the pan having a previously been greased 'Wltll suitable substance and the electric current switched into The motor 42 is started and the operations begin. Or, without chargingthe popper pan with corn the pan is first permitted to become heated and then the machine is started. In case the cover is not down upon the popper pan but is being moved downward by the screw on the driving shaft, as the cover head 19 leaves the screw the cover falls by the force of gravity to its normal position so as to cover the pan. The cover in its descent engages the collar 58 and pulls down the rod56 so that the gearing is properly set to drivethe shaft 28 in one direction, and the shaft turns the agitator. During the descent of the cover the feeder valve carries the port 84 to the port 75 to discharge a small quantity of butter or grease which flows onto the poppet) pan, and the further movement of the cover pullsdown the rod 90 fully so that the lug finger 91 further rotates the valvev which brings the port 83 to the port 74 to discharge corn through the feed-pipe 76 onto the pan, the corn being stirred and agitated on the pan by the moving agitator fingers 27, the feeder valve having closed the port 69 against flow of corn from the reservoir, the

charging positions being illustrated in Fig. 3. The popping pan having been heated, the corn is heated thereby and pops and ex- 7 pands until all that can be popped becomes popped and the gradually increasing volume due to expansion of the corn forces up the cover until some of the popped corn may be forced from under the lower edge of the cover by the action of the agitator which tends-to move the lighter popped corn out over the rib of the pan. As the cover rises the screw threads 20 come into engagement with the screw threads 34, after which the cover. is slowly forced upward by screw power. Previously to the engagement of the screws, the rod 90 is idlymoved upward until the finger 92 comes into contact with the pin 89 immediately after engagement of the screws, and likewise the cross-bar 21 and the cover move upward without shifting the rod 56, the cross-bar engaging the collar 57 immediately after the screws are in engagement, so that the rod 56 is' subsequently forced upward, and the finger 92 in contact with the pin 89 causes rotation of the feeder valve which during its movement carries the port 84 across the port 75 was to discharge a small quantity of butter onto the pan, which previously has been cleared of the parched corn remaining in the pan after discharge of the popped corn, the untionary concave pan, a heater arranged be popped corn being temporarily retained in the pan by the'force of gravity because of its relatively heavy weight until parched. A further upward movement of thecover approximately to the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 4; causes the maximum movement of the feeder valve so that the port 74 has become closed, and the port 85 is brought to. the port 89' and admits a charge ofcorn from the reservoir into the feeder valve ready for the following period in 'the cycle of operations resulting from the shifting of the gearing, so that the shaft 28 is rotated in the opposite direction to cause the lowering of the cover by screw power that en ables the cover to again operate the feeder valve in the opposite direction, the operations being continued automatically in the manner 'above-described. The popped and parched corn falls onto the floor 2 and be comes piled about the slender post 4, being kept warm by heat from the bowl and the port and the popped corn may be readily separated on the floor from the 'heavier parched corn'and dispensed as may be desired.

What isclaimed as new is corn-popping machine having a stalowthe pan, a rotary shaft guided above the pan, a pan cover movably guided on the shaft, and a hub secured to the shaft and having agitator fingers thereon extending from the lower portion upwardlyacross the surface of the pan.

2. A"corn-popp1ng machine including a stationary pan; a'.- cover :i'emovably arranged pan, a cover removably arrangedv upon the pan to be lifted bodily therefrom by action of a quantity of corn popping and expanding upon the pan, the cover having a side portion slipping over the edge of the pan,

an agitator arranged upon the pan, and a rotary shaft extending loosely through the cover and secured to the agitator.

4. A corn-popping machine having a stationary concave pan and a heater, a rotary shaft guided above the pan, a hub secured to the shaft and having radial agitator fingers extending across the pan, a cover for the pan loosely guided on the shaft to be bodily lifted by action of expansion of the corn being popped upon the pan, and means enabling the shaft to alternately raise and lower the cover.

5. A corn-popping machine having a stationary concave pan, the edge portion of the pan being provided with an upwardly-extending relatively low annular rib, a heater stationarily arranged below the pan, a shaft rotatably guided above the pan, a pan cover movably guided on the shaft,and a hub secured to the shaft and having agitator fingers thereon extending gradually upwardly across the. surface of the pan approximately to the rib.

6. A corn-popping machine including a pan, a heater below the pan, a cover removably arranged upon the pan to be lifted r shaft guided above the pan, agitator fingers having connection with the shaft, a cover for the panloosely guided on the shaft for vertical movement, a' feeder operatively arranged above the cover and having an actuating device, a feed-pipe connected with the feeder and extending through the cover,

and an operating-rod operatively connected with the cover and adapted to controllably operate the actuating device of the feeder.

'8. A corn-popping machine including a bowl, a pan arranged in the bowl and having an upturned rib on its edge, the rib extendin over the upper edge of the bowl and beln'g supported thereon, a shaft guided said rib to be lifted by expanding poppingcorn upon the pan.

9. A corn-popping machine including a hollow post, a bowl secured to the top of the post and having a ledge on the inner 1 gers actuated by the shaft upon the pan, a

the, shaft.

side thereof, an electrical heater unit supported on the ledge, circuit wires for the unit arranged in the post, a popper pan bodily supported upon the top of the bowl, a cover removably seated on the pan, means for lifting the cover from the pan a feeder arranged higher than the cover and having a feed-pipe connected thereto that extends through the top of the cover, and means for operating and controlling the feeder havingconnection with the cover. I, y o

10. A corn-popping machine including a floor, a post secured upon the floor and having a bowl thereon, a heater arranged in the bowl, a 'pan bodily supported upon the top of the bowl, a cover removabl arranged upon the bowl to cover the pan, an agitator movable upon the pan, a shaft rotatable vertically upon the pan and secured to the agitator, meansfor reversibly rotating the shaft having controlling means operated by the cover, and means for, feeding corn and butter to the pan through the cover and provided with operating means having con-- nection with the cover. 1

11. A corn-popping machine including a stationar pan, a heater arranged below the pan, a s aft rotatably arranged vertically above the pan and having. screw threads thereon above the an, the lower end of the shaft being guide by the pan, agitator fincover for-the pan loosely guided thereon and having a screw-threaded head to engage the screw threads on the shaft,reversible driving gearing connected with the shaft, and controlling means actuated by means of-the cover and controlling the gearing to inter-. mittently reverse the direction of motion of 12. A corn-poppingmachine including a stationar pan, a heater arranged below the pan, a s aft rotatably arranged vertically above the pan and partially guided thereby, a movable cover for the paniloosely guided.

' vertically by the shaft and the pan, the.

cover having a crosshead fixed thereon, agitator fingers carried by' the shaft over the pan, a feeder operatively arranged above the cover and having an actuating device, a

feed-pipe connected with the feeder and extending through the cover and its crosshead, and an operating-rodsecured to the crosshead and-having means cO-operating with the actuating device to controllably operate feed-pi es extending through the cover, the

feeder eing provided with an actuating device, and an operating rod operated by the cover and having lugs to alternately engage and operate the actuating device.

14. A corn-popping machine including a popper pan, a cover removably arranged on the pan and having a threaded head, a rotatable vertical shaft having threads to engage the threaded head for lifting or lower ing the cover, the shaft being rotatably connected with the popper pan, an agitator on the pan secured to the shaft, a feeder arranged higher than the cover and compris ing a horizontal cylindrical case having an inlet port in itsupper portion and two separate discharge ports in its lower portion, 9

two feed-pipes connected with the discharge ports respectively and extending through the cover, a hollow cylindrical valve rotatively guided in the case and having an inlet port and two outlet ports, the valve having 1 a partition therein between the outlet ports,

a hopper on the top of the case to discharge into the inlet ports, and ineans to operate the, valve having connection with the cover.

15. In a corn-popping machine, the combination of a stationary bowl, a popper pan supported in the bowl, an'electrical heater unit supported in the bowl below the pan, a rotary shaft guided above the pan and having an agitator connected thereto to be rotated upon the pan, a cover loosely'guided on the shaft and the bowl, and means actu- I, ated by the shaft to lift or? to lower the cover. a

16'. In a corn-popping machine, the combination, with a heater, a popper pan, an agitator-rotatable on the pan,and a cover removably arranged 'to cover the agitator and the pan, of reversible screw power means to operate in connection with the cover to raise orllower the cover, said means including a rotatable shaft extending through the cover and secured to the agitator.

17. In a corn-popping machine, the combinatiomwith a heater, anda support therev for, of a popper pan having a concavetop the agitator, and a rotatable shaft extendbers provided respectively with outlet ports ing through the cover and secured to the agitator. I

18, In a corn-popping machine, the combination, with a popper pan and an agitator thereon, of a coverfor the pan removably arranged thereon, a feeder casing having discharge ports in the .lower'portion thereof, feed-pipes connected with the ports respectively and extending loosel through the top of said cover, a hollow va ve rotativel arranged in' the casing and having two c amto feed to the discharge port respectively, a reservoirsupported upon said casing to feed to the valve, and means having connection with said cover to engage and operate said valve. A

19. In a corn-popping machine, the coinbination, with afeeder having anzoperating part, of a. popper pan arranged lower than the feeder, a cover removably arranged upon the pan and having a crossbar fixed thereto, the cover being provided with screw threads, a shaft rotatably' guided upon the popper pan and extending through the topof the cover, theshaft having a screw thereon to engage said screw threads, means toreversibly rotate the shaft, a feed-pipe connected with the feeder and extending loosely through the top of the cover and also loosely through the cross-bar, and a rod secured to thecross-bar. and provided with means to engage and operate the operating partof the feeder.

20. In a corn-popping machine, the combination, with a popper pan and a heater beneath the pan, of an. agitator rotatably arranged on' the pan, a cover removably ar- 1 ranged tocover the agitator *and the pan,

a rotatable shaft extending loosely through the. cover and secured to the agitator, a feeder arranged higher than the cover and comprising a valve case and a hollow valve rotatively' arranged therein, the valve having a lug pin fixed thereon, a, feed-pipe connected with the valve case and extending loosely through the top of the cover, and a rod having connection with the valve and extending upward and in proximity to the lug pin,'the rod having two fingers thereon to alternately engage the pin to operate the valve.

21; Ina corn-popping machine, the comblnation, with a bowl and aheater supported I in the bowl at a distance below the top thereof, of a dished popper pan having a central boss, the top of the pan being concave and the pan having a marginal upturned rib that extends over upon the top of the bowl and uthereby supports the pan above the heater, the rib having .a rim thereon extendthe popper pan, a cover comprising a top and a rim, the rim extending removably over the rim on the rib and being supported upon said bead, a rotatable shaft guided on said boss and extending through the top of the co ver, and clutch devices connecting the agitator t0. the shaft.

22. In a com-popping machine, the combination, with a floor and a roof, of a bowl having a supporting post secured upon the floor, a heater arranged in the bowl, a popperv an in the bowl supported upon the top of t e bowl, an agitator upon the pan, a cover removably arranged on the pan and having a hollow head provided therein with screw threads, a cross-bar secured tosaid head, a vertical shaft secured to the agitator and'extending through said head and said roof and havin threads for .raislng or lowering the cover, the shaft being rotatably supported upon said roof and having a bevel gear wheel secured to the top thereof, a, shaft rot-atably supported horizontally upon said roof, a sleeve shiftablyarra'nged on the horizontal shaft and having two bevel pinions thereon to be moved alternately to the gear wheel, means enabling the horizontal shaft to re tate the sleeve, a shifter having connection with the sleeve and co-operating with said roof to shift the sleeve, the'shifter being prov above the pan, a, movable coverfor the pan loosely guided vertically by the shaft and the pan and provided with screw threads ina sleeve adjustably secured the top thereof to the shaft and having screw threads thereon to operate in connection with the threads a screw to engage saidv in the cover, and an agitator actuated by the shaft.

24; In 'a corn-popping machine, the combination of a metallic bowl provided on the center of its bottom with a tall and slender supporting post, the base portion of the post being rigidly supported,-a heater arranged in the bowlfa popper pan having support on the bowl, a cover having a rim portion removablygguided on the bowl,laL-rotatable shaft extending through the .cover, and an agitator arrangedupon the pepper pan and connected to the shaft.

25. In a corn-poppin machine, the com- 7 bination of" a metallic owl, a popper'pan supported in the bowl,' an electrical heater supported in the bowl below the pan, an agitator arranged to operate upon the pan, a cover having a. rim portion loosely guided on the bowl to be lifted therefrom by-meansw of corn being popped upon the pan a rotary shaft extending loosely through the cover the bowl in an elevated and connected to the agitator, and a tall and slender post rigidly connected to the oentral portion of the bowl bottom to solely support 10 osition. In test} ony whereo I afilx my signature on th 26th day ofSeptember, 1923.

HENRY W. SCHWIMMER. 

